Wounded Cats stun Warriors
Injury-hit Wakefield produced the first upset of Super League XIV with an impressive 12-6 victory over Wigan at the JJB.
Last Updated: 08/02/09 7:07pm
Wakefield produced the first upset result of Super League XIV with an impressive 12-6 victory over Wigan at the JJB Stadium.
The injury-hit Wildcats raced out to a 10-0 lead thanks to a brace of tries from on-loan winger Dave Halley inside the opening 13 minutes.
All Wigan managed in reply was a score from substitute Joel Tomkins, which was converted by Pat Richards, at the start of the second half.
Richard Mathers' sin-binning shortly after the hour mark capped a miserable afternoon for Brian Noble's side, who left the field at the final hooter to a chorus of boos.
Outplayed
Not even Australian debutants Mark Riddell and Amos Roberts could stop the Warriors slipping to a defeat that will have quickly dampened expectations of a successful season.
Without eight regulars through injury and illness, Wakefield outplayed their much-fancied opponents for long periods and fully deserved to take home the two points.
Having dedicated the 2009 campaign to popular prop Adam Watene, who collapsed and died of a heart attack last October, the Wildcats seemed inspired by the spirit of their former player.
Skipper Jason Demetriou, wearing the number eight jersey formerly donned by his good friend, led from the front throughout before going off with a wrist injury, including setting up the opening try.
It was his fine burst that allowed Halley to break the deadlock after just 56 seconds, centre Tony Martin adding the extras to make it 6-0.
The 22-year-old, who has moved to Belle Vue on a temporary deal from Bradford, then managed to get on the end of Sam Obst's grubber kick soon after to take Wakefield into double figures.
That proved to be the end of the scoring for the first half, though Wakefield could have been even further ahead had a try from stand-off Scott Grix not been chalked off for a double movement.
Perhaps with their ears ringing after some choice words from Noble during the interval, Wigan were much improved straight after the break.
Early breakthrough
It took them just five minutes to find a way through, skipper Sean O'Loughlin setting up Tomkins following a break by scrum-half Thomas Leuluai.
Ireland international Richards added the extras and at that stage the hosts would have been expected to go on and overturn the deficit.
However, Martin's penalty in the 54th minute pushed the Wildcats six points clear and their hopes of holding on were boosted further when the home team found themselves down to 12 - Mathers yellow carded for tripping Halley.
Despite being a man light Wigan played some of their best rugby but failed to take their chances, either because of some tough tackling or unforced errors.
